Walk. It's that simple
There are few things in life that are completely free of charge, and have the résumé that walking has. It improves your physical and mental health, makes you more alert, more productive, improves your sleep, boosts your mood, gives you an opportunity to learn, chat, dream, experience nature, and reduce stress. Walking is seriously underrated.
And here’s the cherry on top: it creates ZERO pollution and is totally carbon-free.
Environment
Unlike cars, trains, buses and taxis, walking produces no carbon emissions at all. It doesn’t give off any stinky, toxic city-filling smog and it doesn’t use up any precious resources (except your breakfast).
Congestion
No one likes the streets to be clogged with cars, so get out of yours and walk. Here’s a simple way to look at it: when you’re driving, you're not stuck in traffic, you are the traffic!"
Health
By walking briskly for 30 minutes each day, perhaps to and from work or school instead of driving, you'll easily meet the recommended 2 ½ hours of exercise each week.1 This could reduce your risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer by up to 50%.2 Your mental health will also benefit significantly too!
What's more, whilst walking around you'll soak up fresh air and sunlight, increasing our intake of much needed Vitamin D.
99 kcal
Fun
Walking can be fun. And interesting. You get to see so much more of your neighbourhood on foot, exploring the nooks and crannies that otherwise pass you by. You can make it social and catch up with a good friend. Or, if you’re a podcast or audiobook fan, just think of all those extra minutes of listening time!
Money
As long as you already own shoes and, well, clothes, walking is absolutely, totally, 100% free.
No train fares. No bus passes. No petrol tanks to fill. No gym memberships to cough up for. Free free free.
Global Goals
In September 2017, an historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'Walk on' pledge, you are contributing in your own small way to the following SDG targets:
3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Success Stories
2,143
Pledges
in total
27,362kg
CO2
pledged